Three-piece flip windshield assembly

ABSTRACT

A windshield assembly for an off-road vehicle includes an upper piece, a lower piece, and a middle piece. The upper piece abuts the roof to prevent a noticeable gap between the windshield and the roof regardless of whether the windshield is open or closed. The lower piece spans the lowermost portion of the windshield area. The middle piece is the main viewing portion, and is hingedly attached to the upper piece to allow the main viewing portion to be moved from a closed position to one or more open positions. When the middle piece is in its closed position, it substantially spans the space between the upper piece and the lower piece. When the middle piece is in a fully open position, the space between the upper windshield piece and the lower windshield piece is substantially free of windshield protection. When the middle piece is in a partially open position, it is flipped partially upward so that air may flow relatively freely unto the cabin area under the middle piece, but the vehicle occupants are still substantially protected from harsh wind and rain.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/660,040, filed Apr. 21, 2022 which claims priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/209,605, filed Jun. 11, 2021,the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention related generally to motor vehicles, and moreparticularly to windshields for off-road motor vehicles.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Flip windshields are commonly used on off-road vehicles such asall-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs). Suchwindshields allow the driver to position the windshield to providenormal windshield protection, or to position the windshield so that thearea immediately in front of the driver is substantially free of ablocking windshield. Typically, this is accomplished by flipping thewindshield from a lowered position to a raised position.

Prior art flip windshields have disadvantages when used with vehiclesequipped with a roof, and may not provide full protection even when thewindshield is closed. The present invention addresses those needs, andmay provide distinctive, source-identifying design elements in theproduct as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one preferred aspect of the present invention there is provided aremovable windshield assembly for attachment to the cage of a vehicle.In one embodiment, that inventive windshield assembly comprises:

a) an upper portion adapted to abut the roof of the vehicle in a mannerto prevent a gap between the roof and the windshield and substantiallyspanning the uppermost portion of the area between the left verticalmember and the right vertical member;

b) a lower portion substantially spanning a lowermost portion of thearea between the left vertical member and the right vertical member; and

c) a main viewing portion hingedly attached to the upper portion in amanner effective to allow the main viewing portion to be moved from aclosed position to an open position;

wherein when the main viewing portion is in its closed position the mainviewing portion substantially spans the space between the upper portion,the lower portion, the left vertical member, and the right verticalmember;

and when the main viewing portion is in its open position the spacebetween the upper portion, the lower portion, the left vertical member,and the right vertical member is substantially free of windshieldprotection.

In another embodiment the inventive windshield assembly comprises amultiple-piece windshield assembly of at least three parts, configuredto mount to a vehicle having a left vertical member and a right verticalmember and at least one cross support member connecting the leftvertical member and a right vertical member. Such an assembly maycomprise:

a) a lower fixed windshield portion spanning a lower portion of the areabetween the left vertical member and the right vertical member;

b) an upper fixed windshield portion spanning an upper portion of thearea between the left vertical member and the right vertical member;

c) a central, movable windshield portion hingedly connected to the upperfixed windshield portion and adapted to substantially span the areabetween the upper fixed windshield portion and the lower fixedwindshield portion when positioned in a closed position; wherein thecentral, movable windshield portion is movable to a fully-open positionin which a gap of more than about 24″ is provided between the central,movable windshield portion and the lower fixed windshield portion. It isto be appreciated that the gap of about 24″ may not be provided in allembodiments, with the critical feature being that the windshield isadapted to open enough that the openable windshield portion is above theline of sight of a normal driver.

In some embodiments, the central, movable windshield portion is alsomovable to a partially-open position in which a gap of less than about6″ is provided between the central, movable windshield portion and thelower fixed windshield portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective of the hinged, three-piece windshield of thepresent invention, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a handle/latch assembly that may be used with the hinged,three-piece windshield of the present invention, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a lower piece of that may be used with the hinged,three-piece windshield of the present invention, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 4 is another view of a lower piece of that may be used with thehinged, three-piece windshield of the present invention, according toone embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view of the end of a lower piece of that may be used withthe hinged, three-piece windshield of the present invention, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is another view of the hinged, three-piece windshield of thepresent invention, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows the hinged, three-piece windshield of the present inventioninstalled on an off-road vehicle, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows the hinged, three-piece windshield of the present inventioninstalled on an off-road vehicle, with the windshield in its openposition, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of the hinged, three-piece windshield ofthe present invention, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows the hinged, three-piece windshield of the presentinvention installed on an off-road vehicle, with the windshield in itsclosed position, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 is another view of the hinged, three-piece windshield of thepresent invention installed on an off-road vehicle, with the windshieldin its open position, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 12 is another view of the hinged, three-piece windshield of thepresent invention installed on an off-road vehicle, with the windshieldin its open position, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 13 is another view of the hinged, three-piece windshield of thepresent invention installed on an off-road vehicle, with the windshieldin its closed position, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 14 is another view of the hinged, three-piece windshield of thepresent invention installed on an off-road vehicle, with the windshieldin its partially open position, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 15 is another view of the hinged, three-piece windshield of thepresent invention installed on an off-road vehicle, with the windshieldin its partially open position, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 16 shows a clamp that may be used with the hinged, three-piecewindshield of the present invention, according to one embodiment.

WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to certain embodiments andspecific language will be used to describe the same. It willnevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended, such alterations and furthermodifications in the described device, and such further applications ofthe principles of the invention as illustrated therein, beingcontemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to whichthe invention relates.

As indicated above, one aspect of the present invention relates to aremovable windshield assembly for attachment to the cage of a vehicle.As is known to the art, a vehicle cage typically comprises a pair oflateral support members, one on each side of a passenger compartment,and a horizontal cross member spanning the distance between the twovertical support members. While not always considered to be part of thecage, the structure may optionally include a vehicle roof member.

In one embodiment the inventive windshield assembly comprises:

a) an upper portion adapted to abut the roof of the vehicle in a mannereffective to prevent a noticeable gap between the roof and thewindshield and substantially spanning the uppermost portion of the areabetween the left vertical member and the right vertical member;

b) a lower portion adapted to abut the hood of the vehicle in a mannereffective to prevent a noticeable gap between the hood and thewindshield and substantially spanning a lowermost portion of the areabetween the left vertical member and the right vertical member; and

c) a main viewing portion hingedly attached to the upper portion in amanner effective to allow the main viewing portion to be moved from aclosed position to an open position, and substantially spanning thespace between the upper portion and the lower portion between the leftvertical member and the right vertical member;

wherein when the main viewing portion is in its closed position the mainviewing portion substantially spans the space between the upper portion,the lower portion, the left vertical member, and the right verticalmember;

and when the main viewing portion is in its open position the spacebetween the upper portion, the lower portion, the left vertical member,and the right vertical member is substantially free of windshieldprotection.

In another embodiment the inventive windshield assembly comprises amultiple-piece windshield assembly of at least three parts, configuredto mount to a vehicle having a left vertical member and a right verticalmember and at least one cross support member connecting the leftvertical member and a right vertical member. Such an assembly maycomprise:

a) a lower fixed windshield portion adapted to abut the hood of thevehicle in a manner effective to prevent a noticeable gap between thehood and the windshield, and spanning the lower portion of the areabetween the left vertical member and the right vertical member;

b) an upper fixed windshield portion adapted to abut the roof of thevehicle in a manner effective to prevent a noticeable gap between theroof and the windshield and spanning the upper portion of the areabetween the left vertical member and the right vertical member;

c) a central, movable windshield portion hingedly connected to the upperfixed windshield portion and adapted to substantially span the areabetween the upper fixed windshield portion and the lower fixedwindshield portion when positioned in a closed position; wherein thecentral, movable windshield portion is movable to a partially-openposition in which a gap of less than about 6″ is provided between thecentral, movable windshield portion and the lower fixed windshieldportion, and is further movable to a fully-open position in which a gapof more than about 24″ is provided between the central, movablewindshield portion and the lower fixed windshield portion.

In some embodiments the upper fixed windshield portion is attached tothe cross support member; and the lower fixed windshield portion and thecentral, movable windshield portion are each attached to the leftvertical member and to the right vertical member. With thisconstruction, the upper piece abuts the roof to prevent a noticeable gapbetween the windshield and the roof regardless of whether the windshieldis open or closed. The lower piece spans the lowermost portion of thewindshield area. The middle piece is the main viewing portion, and ishingedly attached to the upper piece to allow the main viewing portionto be moved from a closed position to one or more open positions. Usingan upper piece that abuts the roof to prevent substantial airflow intothe cabin at the roof line, and connecting that upper piece to the mainwindshield piece with a hinged connection that prevents substantialairflow into the cabin between the upper and middle windshield pieces,serves to prevent wind and rain from flowing into the cabin area betweenthe roof and the main windshield section regardless of whether thewindshield is open or closed.

Accordingly, when the middle piece is in its closed position, itsubstantially spans the space between the upper piece and the lowerpiece. When the middle piece is in a fully open position, the spacebetween the upper windshield piece and the lower windshield piece issubstantially free of windshield protection. When the middle piece is ina partially open position, it is flipped partially upward so that airmay flow relatively freely unto the cabin area under the middle piece,but the vehicle occupants are still substantially protected from harshwind and rain.

The assembly may additionally comprise one or more struts for holdingthe central, movable windshield portion in its fully-open position.

The assembly may also additionally comprise a handle for assisting withmoving the central, movable windshield portion from its closed positionto its partially- or fully-open positions.

The assembly may also additionally comprise a latch for securing thecentral, movable windshield portion in its closed position. The latchmay additionally be effective for securing the central, movablewindshield portion in its partially-open position. The handle and thelatch may be provided as a combined assembly.

The inventive flip windshield assembly is preferably adapted to clearthe vehicle roof so that opening and closing the flip windshield is notinhibited.

The inventive flip windshield assembly is preferably adapted tosubstantially seal the space across the top of the windshield, thuspreventing fluids such as rain and air from flowing over the top of thewindshield and beneath the vehicle roof.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of thethree-piece flip windshield of the present invention. Windshield 100includes upper piece 110, lower piece 120, and middle piece 130. Hinges140 connect middle piece 130 to upper piece 110 in a manner effective toprevent air or rain from flowing into the cabin between those two piecesregardless of whether the middle piece is in its closed position or anopen position. Upper clamps 150 and lower clamps 160 are provided tosecure the windshield to the vehicle.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the latch and handle hardware that may beutilized in the three-piece flip windshield of the present invention.Assembly 200 includes handle 201 that is mountable to the thewindshield, preferably using a handle support 203 that is mounted to themiddle piece of the windshield using bolts (not shown). Catch 202 ispreferably mountable to the windshield, preferably using a catch support204 that is mounted to the lower piece of the windshield using bolts(not shown).

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the lower windshield portion of thethree-piece flip windshield of the present invention. Lower windshieldpiece 120 may include a flexible seal 122 along its lower edge to sealthe gap that may otherwise be present between the power windshield pieceand the vehicle hood, thus allowing a good fit without scratching orotherwise damaging the hood during installation or use.

FIG. 4 shows another view of a lower piece of that may be used with thehinged, three-piece windshield of the present invention, according toone embodiment. Lower windshield piece 120 is mountable to the vehiclecage using clamps 160.

FIG. 5 shows a view of the end of a lower piece of that may be used withthe hinged, three-piece windshield of the present invention, accordingto one embodiment. Lower windshield piece 120 is mountable to thevehicle cage using clamps 160

FIG. 6 shows another view of the hinged, three-piece windshield of thepresent invention, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows the hinged, three-piece windshield of the present inventioninstalled on an off-road vehicle, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows the hinged, three-piece windshield of the present inventioninstalled on an off-road vehicle, with the windshield in its openposition, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of the hinged, three-piece windshield ofthe present invention, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows the hinged, three-piece windshield of the presentinvention installed on an off-road vehicle, with the windshield in itsclosed position, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows another view of the hinged, three-piece windshield of thepresent invention installed on an off-road vehicle, with the windshieldin its open position, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows another view of the hinged, three-piece windshield of thepresent invention installed on an off-road vehicle, with the windshieldin its “open” position, according to one embodiment. As previous noted,when the central, movable windshield portion 130 is moved top itsfully-open position, a gap of more than about 24″ is provided betweenthe central, movable windshield portion 130 and the lower fixedwindshield portion 120. In this fully opened position, the space betweenthe upper portion, the lower portion, the left vertical member, and theright vertical member is substantially free of windshield protection.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the three-pieceflip windshield of the present invention, with the central, movablewindshield portion being in its “closed” position. The lower fixedwindshield portion 120 spans a lower portion of the area between theleft vertical member and the right vertical member. The upper fixedwindshield portion 110 spans an upper portion of the area between theleft vertical member and the right vertical member. The central, movablewindshield portion 130 is hingedly connected to the upper fixedwindshield portion and substantially spans the area between the upperfixed windshield portion and the lower fixed windshield portion whenpositioned in its illustrated closed position.

FIG. 14 shows another perspective view of one embodiment of thethree-piece flip windshield of the present invention, with the central,movable windshield portion 130 in its “partially-open” position. In theillustrated partially-open position, a gap of less than about 6″ isprovided between the central, movable windshield portion 130 and thelower fixed windshield portion 120.

FIG. 15 shows another perspective view of one embodiment of thethree-piece flip windshield of the present invention, with the central,movable windshield portion being in a “partially open” position. In theillustrated partially-open position, a gap of less than about 6″ isprovided between the central, movable windshield portion 130 and thelower fixed windshield portion 120.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a stylized mounting clamp 160 usedin one embodiment of the three-piece flip windshield of the presentinvention.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same are to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive, it being understood that only certainpreferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changesand modifications that come within the spirit of the invention aredesired to be protected. In addition, it is to be appreciated that thepresent invention may comprise or consist essentially of any or all ofthe described or illustrated features. For example, the presentinvention includes devices and methods comprising any or all of thefeatures described or illustrated in specification or drawings, and thepresent invention includes devices and methods consisting essentially ofany or all of the features illustrated in the specification or drawings.Additionally, any or all of the features and/or embodiments disclosedherein may be combined with any or all of the other features and/orembodiments disclosed herein to provide a device or method thatcomprises or consists essentially of such features.

Finally, the grammatical device “and/or” (such as in “A and/or B”) isused in this disclosure to mean A alone, or B alone, or both A and B.

1. A multiple-piece windshield assembly comprising at least three partsand configured to mount to a vehicle having a left vertical member and aright vertical member and at least one cross support member connectingthe left vertical member and a right vertical member, the assemblycomprising: a) a lower fixed windshield portion spanning a lower portionof the area between the left vertical member and the right verticalmember; b) an upper fixed windshield portion spanning an upper portionof the area between the left vertical member and the right verticalmember; c) a central, movable windshield portion hingedly connected tothe upper fixed windshield portion and adapted to substantially span thearea between the upper fixed windshield portion and the lower fixedwindshield portion when positioned in a closed position; wherein thecentral, movable windshield portion is movable to a fully-open positionin which a gap of more than about 24″ is provided between the central,movable windshield portion and the lower fixed windshield portion.
 2. Avehicle windshield assembly according to claim 1 wherein the central,movable windshield portion is additionally movable to a partially-openposition in which a gap of less than about 6″ is provided between thecentral, movable windshield portion and the lower fixed windshieldportion.
 3. A vehicle windshield assembly according to claim 1 whereinthe upper fixed windshield portion is attachable to the cross supportmember; and wherein the lower fixed windshield portion and the central,movable windshield portion are each attachable to the left verticalmember and to the right vertical member.
 4. A vehicle windshieldassembly according to claim 1 wherein the assembly additionallycomprises one or more struts for holding the central, movable windshieldportion in its fully-open position.
 5. A vehicle windshield assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein the assembly additionally comprises ahandle for assisting with moving the central, movable windshield portionfrom its closed position to its fully-open position.
 6. A vehiclewindshield assembly according to claim 1 wherein the assemblyadditionally comprises a latch for securing the central, movablewindshield portion in its closed position.
 7. A vehicle windshieldassembly according to claim 6 wherein the latch is additionallyeffective for securing the central, movable windshield portion in itspartially-open position.
 8. A removable windshield assembly forattachment to the cage of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle cage comprisesa pair of lateral support members, one on each side of a passengercompartment, and a horizontal cross member spanning the distance betweenthe two vertical support members, and optionally including a vehicleroof member; the windshield assembly comprising: a) an upper portionadapted to abut the roof of the vehicle in a manner to prevent a gapbetween the roof and the windshield and substantially spanning theuppermost portion of the area between the left vertical member and theright vertical member; b) a lower portion substantially spanning alowermost portion of the area between the left vertical member and theright vertical member; and c) a main viewing portion hingedly attachedto the upper portion in a manner effective to allow the main viewingportion to be moved from a closed position to an open position; whereinwhen the main viewing portion is in its closed position the main viewingportion substantially spans the space between the upper portion, thelower portion, the left vertical member, and the right vertical member;and when the main viewing portion is in its open position the spacebetween the upper portion, the lower portion, the left vertical member,and the right vertical member is substantially free of windshieldprotection.